Methods and systems enabling access by portable wireless handheld devices to data associated with programming rendering on flat panel displays

ABSTRACT

Flat panel displays can broadcast their identity for discovery by handheld devices interested in obtaining data associated with video programming displayed on the displays. An application can be downloaded and activated on smartphones that will enable them to capture an image of the video programming and recognize is with the help of a remote server, or wirelessly obtain a list of available (discovered) flat panel displays (multiple screens, depending on venue) that allow wireless access to data associated with video programming displayed (or previously displayed and stored in a queue) on flat panels. Video programming rendering on a flat panel of interest can be identified via the smartphone and the smartphone can access additional data either directly from the flat panel or from a remote server once the data has been identified and/or engage in an interactive session in association with the displayed programming or data.

INVENTION PRIORITY

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) as aContinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/976,510,entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS ENABLING ACCESS BY PORTABLE WIRELESSHANDHELD DEVICES TO DATA ASSOCIATED WITH PROGRAMMING RENDERING ON FLATPANEL DISPLAYS,” filed Dec. 21, 2015, which is a Continuation-in-Partapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/306,895, entitled“Methods and Systems Enabling Access by Portable Wireless HandheldDevices to Data Associated with Programming Rendering on Flat PanelDisplays,” which was filed on Jun. 17, 2014, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/842,544, entitled“Methods and Systems Enabling Access by Portable Wireless HandheldDevices to Data Associated with Programming Rendering on Flat PanelDisplays,” which was filed on Jul. 3, 2013, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to wireless handheld devicessuch as smartphones and also to flat panel displays such as smart TVs.The present invention is also related to the exchange of data betweendevices. More particularly, the present invention is related to methodsand systems enabling access to data associated with video programmingrendering on flat panel displays by portable wireless handheld deviceslocated near the flat panel displays and having access to a remoteserver.

BACKGROUND

Television sets today can be connected to data networks (e.g., theInternet) and are being marketed as “Smart TVs” because of their datanetwork accessing capabilities, as well as the smartphone-like userinterfaces they provide. Smart televisions and smartphones have onlyrecently been able to interact with what is being referred to as “secondscreen” applications; however, applications that are currently availableare limited to the wireless rendering of data that is either providedfrom a smartphone onto the screen of a flat panel display utilizingsmall gateway and video streaming devices such those provided by Apple(e.g., Apple TV's Airplay) and Roku, or where data associated withprogramming displayed on the flat panel display is accessed from aremote server (i.e., website) only after identifying a program beingwatched on a large flat panel display to the server by name or accesscode. Media sharing to flat panels directly from handhelds to flatpanels has also been enabled using other wireless means or standardssuch as DLNA via a router, and directly with flat panel devices usingWIFI direct, which has recently been accomplished with applications suchas Multiscreen Play (by Hisense), AllJoyn and Snapdragon (by Qualcomm),Content Share (by Haier), Miracast (by Panasonic), SmartShare (by LG),and others. Yet all of these applications are only described for use insharing data in one direction—from handheld devices to larger flat paneldevices.

As of the priority filing date of this invention, a flat panel display(Smart TV) is not known to provide data directly to smartphonesfollowing a request initiated at the smartphone. All current datadelivery appears limited to what is provided from a handheld device(smartphone) to a large data network-enabled flat panel display (SmartTV), typically by utilizing the screen/data sharing technologiesdescribe above. All current data exchange solutions are also limited tointeraction between two devices, a smartphone and a flat paneldisplay/smart TV that are already connected to each other and arewirelessly engaged to provide commands and data from the handheld deviceto the flat panel display or a smartphone and a remote server based oninformation obtained about a program being displayed on a flat paneldisplay. There is currently no intermediary device or application thatcan identify information that is available for smartphone retrievalbased on what is being displayed on flat panel displays.

An interesting data access problem presents itself in a scenario wherethere are several screens displaying multimedia data to spectatorslocated in a public venue (e.g., a sports bar, sports stadium, casinosports book, etc.) rather than a private den or office. No solutions arecurrently available for spectators utilizing wireless handheld devicesto access/select data associated with (or being rendered on) a screenchosen from several screens co-located at the venue whereon variousmultimedia content is also being displayed. The present inventorsbelieve that spectators/observers at a public venue would like theability to access specific content being displayed on and/or otherwiseinteract with what is being displayed on any of the multiple screens.This is especially true with respect to sports programming where fansoften desire to access data associated with programming that will enablethem to see a video replay or review statistics.

SUMMARY

It is therefore a feature of the embodiments to enable smartphone deviceusers to select/identify video programming rendering on a flat paneldevice to access data associated with the video programming (datarendered currently or in the brief past) or engage in an interactivesession associated with the data rendered on a selected flat paneldevice.

It is another feature to enable portable handheld device users to usethe portable handheld device (e.g., smartphone, tablet) operating as asecond screen to access data from a remote server based on a match of animage captured by the handheld device camera of video programming beingdisplayed on a flat panel television display operating as a primaryscreen with images of video programming stored in a remote server.It is yet another feature for the a media module to be associated withthe handheld device to enable capturing of an image of a live broadcastof video programming being displayed on a display screen utilizing acamera integrated in the handheld device, matching of the image capturedby the camera with images of video programming stored in a remoteserver, and provide access to data associated with the video programmingbased on the match.

It is another feature of the present invention to enable flat paneldevices to broadcast their identity via wireless communications (e.g.,Bluetooth, or WiFi direct) to handheld devices utilizing an applicationthat enables flat panel discovery and supports interaction with flatpanels that are discovered and chosen by the handheld devices.

It is another feature of the present invention to enable portablehandheld devices to wirelessly identify video programming beingdisplayed on a flat panel display, select, and obtain data/associatedinformation from a remote server or the flat panel display, or a set topbox or other hardware connectable to the flat panel display.

It is another feature of the present invention that operational featuresof the portable handheld device can be enabled with an Application (App)that can be downloaded from a remote server.

What is needed is a way to easily select a large screen from amongseveral co-located screens and access the content being displayed on thelarge screen in the venue so that users can view the data on theirpersonal handheld devices as well as engage in an interactive sessioneither directly with the large screen or in association with the datadisplayed on the large screen. The present inventors believe it wouldalso be desirable to access data that has already been displayed and isnow consider past rendering by providing a data queue that can store thedata or a server providing the data, or identification information froma flat panel display (e.g., video programming rendering thereon) neededto retrieve the past video data, after the data has already beenrendered on a large screen. With another feature of the presentinvention, past video data can be retrieved from a remote server over adata network based on the identification information, or directly fromlarge screen with on-board memory (e.g., in a flat panel display, settop box or HDMI pluggable hardware module) capable of storing a limitedamount of multimedia data previously displayed on the large screen.

In accordance with features of the preset invention, flat panel displayscan be enabled to wirelessly broadcast their identity for discovery andcan also identify data associated with the content being displayed tomultiple users of handheld devices (e.g., smartphones). This capabilitycan be referred to as mediacasting, or Mediacast-enabled with respect toaspects of the mediacasting capability directly incorporated into flatpanel devices or accessible as a program on a handheld device. Data caninclude video, text, audio, and identifying information needed to accesssuch data from a remote server. Handheld device users can activate anapplication on their smartphones that will enable them to either see alist of available (discover) flat panel displays (often multiplescreens, depending on venue) that allow wireless access by handhelddevices to data being displayed (or previously displayed and stored in aqueue) on the flat panel displays, or use an image captured of the videoprogramming rendering on a select flat panel display to finding matchingvideo programming at a remote server and access data associated with thevideo programming. The smartphone users can select a screen of interest(or data for the screen of interest) and access additional data (eitherdirectly from the flat panel or from a remote server once the data hasbeen identified) based on the identified video programming and/or engagein an interactive session in association with the displayed data.

In accordance with additional features of the present invention,possible venues that can deploy the mediacasting concept disclosedherein are: sports bars, sports venues, educational institutions, casinosports books, shopping centers, amusement parks, lobbies, public andprivate location, and the like.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, anapplication (“APP”) that enables smartphones to access data associatedwith recognized video programming rendering on a flat panel to obtainadditional data, and/or interact with Mediacast-enabled flat panels canbe downloaded from a server associated with application providers (e.g.,Apple, Google Android, etc.).

Wireless standards that can be used to implement the invention includeBluetooth WIfi, WiFi direct, and cellular data (e.g. LTE/4G+).

Smartphones, Tablets and laptops including a camera and wireless datacommunication capabilities integrated therein are just some of thehandheld device that could also be used to access data under theteaching described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a system enabling flat panel discovery and access todata associated with video programming displayed on a flat panelselected by a handheld device for use to retrieve associated data;

FIG. 2 illustrates a system enabling capture of an image of videoprogramming from a select flat panel display, matching of the capturedimage with images of video programming (e.g., video broadcasts) storedin a remote server, determination of a match and the availability ofrelated data, and enabling access to data associated with programmingdisplayed on a particular flat panel selected by a handheld device, evenwhen several flat panel devices are also located near the handhelddevice;

FIG. 3 illustrates a system deployed in a large venue such as a sportsstadium that utilizes wireless infrastructure at the venue to broadcastavailable data associated with video programming being displayed on flatpanel displays located throughout the large venue and can also enableaccess to the data associated with the video programming displayed on aparticular flat panel;

FIG. 4 illustrates a screen shot from a handheld device illustrating alist of flat panels wirelessly discovered for access to data therefrom;

FIG. 5 illustrates a screen shot from a handheld device illustrating alist of programming accessible from a queue (memory) in a remote serverand/or associated with a flat panel selected by the handheld device;

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of steps that can be followed fordiscovering a flat panel with a handheld device and accessing dataassociated with programming displayed on the flat panel; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of steps that can be followed forenabling discovery of a video programming rendering on a flat paneldevice by handheld devices and for providing data associated withprogramming displayed on the flat panel to handheld devices.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of steps enabling identification ofvideo programming rendering on a flat panel device by handheld devicesand for providing the handheld devices with access to data associatedwith video programming displayed on the flat panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 enabling flat panel discovery and accessto data associated with programming (e.g., a live video broadcast)displayed on a flat panel 110 selected by a handheld device 115. A flatpanel 110 can have access to a data network 105 to retrieve programmingand information from a remote server 101, either directly or viaconnectable devices 109 like Apple TV, Roku and set top boxes. The flatpanel 110 can also have an internal (built-in) wireless communicationmodule 111 (e.g., WiFi or Bluetooth, or both) to support communicationswith nearby handheld devices 115 or to obtain further data access fromthe network 105 in the same manner as a connected device like Apple TVor Roku would through application software. The flat panel device caninclude a memory 112 that can function as a queue to store programmingdisplayed on a display screen (e.g., LCD, LED, Plasma, or the like)integrated in the flat panel, and which can include a limited amount ofpast programming previously displayed on the display screen 109integrated in the flat panel. The wireless communication module canwirelessly broadcast identifying information 113 for the flat panel 110to nearby handheld devices 115. The identifying information 113 can beany of an identification number (screen labeled #10, as shown)physically located on or near a flat panel 110 that can be read byspectators, or electronic information broadcasted about the physicallocation of the flat panel 110 in a venue 120, or broadcastedinformation about programming being displayed on the flat panel 110. Thebroadcast of wireless-enabled device identities is common for WiFihotspots and Bluetooth connected devices, where identifying informationis periodically sent for receipt by devices in search of a wireless dataconnection; however, flat panel television sets do not currentlybroadcast identifying information (in particular, after-market labels,or physical location information), and information broadcasted fromother devices today are not used for purposes of obtaining dataassociated with programming displayed on flat panel displays wherenumerous other flat panel displays may also be co-located (located nextto each other) in a crowded venue (e.g., a sports bar, casino or sportsstadium).

Flat panels 110 enabled with a wireless communication module 111 andmemory 112 can be programmed using a mediacasting application tobroadcast identifying information rather than just the manufacturer andmodel information. Manufacturer and model information would be uselessif broadcasted from, for example, ten flat panel devices in a sports barthat are made by the same manufacturer and are the same model. This iswhy the use of unique identifying information is necessary in accordancewith some features of the present invention. Information will bedescribed in further detail below, but can include physical location,programming information or a name/label physically attached to the flatpanel to assist users in identification of the desired flat panel tointeract with.

The handheld device 115 can be provided in the form of a smartphone(e.g., iPhone, Android-based smartphone) or tablet and include anapplication 116 that enables the discovery of available flat panels 110near the handheld device 115 or identification of video programmingbeing displayed on a selected flat panel. Discovery can be accomplishedby receiving identifying information 113 for the flat panel in a list ofavailable devices 114, or for the programming being rendered on the flatpanel 100. The flat panel 110 can be selected on the handheld device115, and the handheld device 115 can then begin receiving dataassociated with programming displayed at the flat panel 110. Thehandheld device 115 can also interact with programming displayed at theflat panel 110 via the application 116.

FIG. 2 illustrates a system 200 enabling identification of videoprogramming rendering on a selected flat panel 210 in accordance withalternative features of the present invention. The system can enablehandheld device 215 access to data related to the video programming froma remote server 251 based on the Identification of video programmingrendering on the selected flat panel 210. Accordingly, an image of thevideo programming (e.g., image of a live MLB Baseball Game) can becaptured by a camera 213 integrated in the handheld device 215. Theimage can then be transferred to a remote server 251 accessible by thehandheld device 215 over a data network 250 (e.g., via WIFI or cellulardata) wherein the captured image can be compared to images of videoprogramming, which can be stored in a database 252 associated with oraccessible by the remote server 251. If the image matches the images ofvideo programming stored in the database 252, a notification messageand/or indication of the availability of data associated with the videoprogramming captured by the handheld device 215 from the selected flatpanel 210 is sent to the handheld device 215. The handheld device 215can capture the image from the selected flat panel 210 with the handhelddevice 215 despite the availability of several additional flat paneldevices 201, 202, 212, and 217, in close proximity to selected flatpanel 210 because only the image from the selected flat panel 210 iswhat is used for comparison at the server and for an indication of videoprogramming-related data availability. As shown on the display screen214 of handheld device 215, the programming can be identified (e.g.,“Boston Red Sox”) once a match is determined. Available data can includevideo, replays, statistics, advertisement, etc., that can as also shownon display screen 214. The data can be managed with the touchscreen userinterface of the handheld device 215, which is typically feature ofmodern smartphones and tablet computers together with wireless datanetwork access and an integrated camera.

The ability to single out a specific flat panel and access data based onmedia rendering on the selected flat panel is another important featuresof the invention in settings where numerous screens might be present.Such a scenario would be common in a publicly accessible venue, such asa sports bar, sports venue, lobby or casino sports book where multipleflat panel displays rendering various programming are available. In thistype of scenario, a software application can be opened on the handhelddevice 215 that will enable the handheld device 215 to capture images,compare images and identify matching video images for video programmingbeing displayed on a select flat panel 210, and then obtain access todata that is associated with the matched video images and videoprogramming. A user of the handheld device can then choose to capture animage from another flat panel device (e.g., flat panel 211, “NFLFootball Game”) if the user desires access to new data related to adifferent video program.

Flat panel identities can also be determined numerically and based oncontent. Numerical identification can first be physical (e.g., by a userreading a number marked on the housing of a flat panel) and thenelectronic, based on information obtained physically. Identification canalso be based on physical location information (e.g., “60 inchSony-above cash register-over bar”). Identification can also be based onprogramming (e.g., “LA Lakers”, “Dodgers” or “HGTV”). It is entirelypossible that the same programming of interest will be displayed onmultiple flat panels located at the same venue. It this case, any of theflat panels 212 displaying the same programming of interest can beselected for data retrieval by, and/or interaction with, the handhelddevice 215.

Once common programming information of interest is identified (i.e., thesame football game, regardless of the flat panel used to identify it),the handheld device 215 can selectively retrieve programming relateddata from either the selected flat panel or a remote server 251 via awireless data network given the teaching provided herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates a system 300 deployed in a large venue 350 such as asports stadium that utilizes wireless infrastructure including hotspots340 at the venue to broadcast available data associated with programmingbeing displayed on flat panel displays 330 located throughout commonareas of the large venue to handheld devices 315 also located at thevenue 350, and can also enable access to the data associated withprogramming displayed on a particular flat panel 310 (e.g., flat panelsdeployed in a private suite location) selected by handheld devices 315when several flat panel devices are also located near the handhelddevice in accordance with features of the present invention. Wirelessinfrastructure can include hotspots deployed throughout the large venue.U.S. Pat. No. 8,320,820 issued to Ortiz, co-inventor of the presentinvention, entitled “Self-contained data communication system nodes asstand-alone pods or embedded in concrete walkways and in walls at publicvenues including sports and entertainment venues” describes hotspotsdeployed in a sports venue to enable handheld device access tovenue-related data. U.S. Pat. No. 8,320,820, which can be utilized toimplement certain novel features of the present invention, is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety for its teaching. The hotspotpods described by Ortiz can be adapted with mediacasting capabilities asdescribed herein to provide handheld devices users with a list of datarelated to programming being displayed on flat panels in the venue thatis available for retrieval by the handheld devices, or the availabilityof interaction with the programming that is being displayed. With thepresent invention, the skilled can imagine a multi-participantinteractive session (e.g., gaming, social networking) that is directlyassociated with programming being displayed on flat panels located atthe venue.

In accordance with features of the present invention, a system deployedin a sports stadium 350 can enable sports fans using smartphones 315 torecognize and interact with media being displayed at the venue toretrieve instant replays, statistics, and other data based onprogramming being viewed on numerous flat panel displays 330 typicallylocated within such a venue 350. A football fan, for example, canre-watch an instant replay for a programming he just viewed on a flatpanel display 310 located near his seat, a baseball fan can reviewadditional facts statistics for an athlete shown on a flat panel 310that is currently at bat. The invention benefits all sports (basketball,soccer, ice hockey, tennis) so long as flat panel displays 330 exist inthe venue and are displaying active programming to attendees.Programming information can also be used by the handheld device 315 toretrieve additional information from a remote server as previouslydescribed.

FIG. 4 illustrates a screen shot 400 from a handheld device 215illustrating a menu-like list 401 of flat panels that were wirelesslydiscovered by the handheld device 215 for access to data therefrom. Ahandheld device user can select a flat panel from a list based on thehandheld device user's programming of interest. Once selected, thehandheld device 215 will be engaged in a data retrieval and/orinteraction session. Data can be retrieved based on real-timeprogramming that is being displayed on a flat panel, or for programmingthat was recently displayed but has now passed (e.g., a commercial thathas already passed, an instant replay of a live sports game, orstatistical information about an athlete). Referring to FIG. 5, a screenshot 500 is shown from a handheld device 215 that can provide a list ofpast programming 501 accessible from a queue (flat panel or set top boxmemory, or remote server) associated with recognized video programmingor a selected flat panel that can still be selected and data retrievedby the handheld device. This aspect of the invention is of high value insports media where fast moving games can cause a sports fan to miss animportant play or statistical information about an athlete or team thathas already passed the screen. A user can be provided with limitedaccess to past programming from a queue associated with the flat paneldevice; however, a menu of past programming as described with respect toFIG. 5 will simplify access to desired information by users. The listingcan be provided in the form of time (e.g., “rewind 30 seconds”, “rewind1 minute”, “rewind 2 minutes”) or based on identifying information(e.g., “last commercial”, “2nd-last commercial”, “3rd last commercial”).Alternatively, the content can be displayed as recorded video with ascroll bar that can include “pause”, “play”, “forward”, and “rewind”capabilities, similar to that provided for reviewing YouTube videos. Thedisplay of stored video content previously displayed by the flat paneland stored in the queue can also be enhanced with image tiles that popup as the user moves along the scroll bar to help the user focus in onimages for the video location that the user wants to review from thequeue. Once the proper content is identified, the user can access dataassociated with the past programming/content.

In accordance with features of the present invention, a system deployedin a sports stadium can enable sports fans using smartphones to interactwith media being displayed at the venue to retrieve instant replays,statistics, and other data based on programming being viewed on numerousflat panel displays typically located within such a venue. A footballfan, for example, can re-watch an instant replay for a programming hejust viewed on a flat panel display located near his seat, a baseballfan can review additional facts statistics for an athlete shown on aflat panel that is currently at bat. The invention benefits all sports(basketball, soccer, ice hockey, tennis) so long as flat panel displaysexist in the venue with the present invention capabilities and aredisplaying active programming to attendees. Programming information canbe used by the handheld device to retrieve additional information from aremote server as previously described.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram 600 of steps for identifying videoprogramming rendering on a flat panel and accessing data related to thevideo programming from a remote server. As shown in block 610, ahandheld device can capture an image of video programming beingdisplayed on a display screen of a flat panel display. In block 620, thehandheld device connects with a remote server via a data network andprovides the captured image to the remote server where the remote servercompares the image of the video programming with images of videos storedin a database in the remote server to locate matching video programmingand identify an availability of the matching video programming or datarelated to the video programming to the handheld device. Then as shownin Block 630, the handheld device obtains access to at least one of thematching data or data related to the video programming from at least oneremote server. The reason at least one remote server is indicated isbecause the system or server may locate servers other than the originalserver contacted to analyze the captured image that are in closerproximity to the handheld device, thereby enhancing video streamingquality and reducing delay. Access to data from remote servers can alsodepend on location of the handheld device 215, based on any of GPS ornetwork access (e.g., IP router Address, cell tower identification,signal triangulation) because knowing the handheld device's location canenable the notifying remote server to help with the location servers incloser proximity to handheld device 215 in order to help reduce networkdelay and improve video data streaming quality. Alternate servers canalso be purposely selected by a user or be based on a user profile(e.g., a profile set up in the App or registered in a user account ordevice) because of language requirements (e.g., the need for audio andtext in Spanish or French, instead of English). User profile informationcan also include pre-registered account information for purposes ofselected a server to access data. The user may already be registeredwith a particular service (e.g., a paid cable, satellite or subscriptionmedia account) from which the user prefers to retrieve content relatedto the match, if such media is available via servers associated with thepreregistered account.

An application can enable the scanning of video programming rendering onthe flat panel by the handheld device 215 by assuring that the camera213 captures an entire screen of the flat panel within a scan windowdisplayed on the handheld device display. This can assure media matchaccuracy. Additionally, scan quality can be enhanced at closer distancesto a video monitor screen and by preventing large angles with respect tothe mobile devices location in front of the video monitor. Notice thatthe handheld device 215 in FIG. 2 is slightly offset to the right offlat panel 210, which could affect capture quality and can be correctedby moving slightly to the left for a straight-on image capture.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram 700 of steps enabling discovery of aflat panel device by handheld devices and for providing data associatedwith programming displayed on the flat panel to handheld devices. Asshown in Block 710, an APP on a handheld device is activated to captureimage of video programming displayed on a flat panel display and enableaccess to data associated with video programming from a remote server.The handheld device then wirelessly accesses a remote server to matchvideo programming with database of broadcasts and identify related dataavailability, as shown in Block 720. Then as shown in block 730, thehandheld device receives notification of match and availability ofrelated data and selectively obtains related data. The information caninclude data (e.g., video, statistics, video replays, etc.), but thehandheld device can use identity information obtained from the flatpanel video programming match to then access additional data associatedwith the programming being displayed on the selected flat panel displayfrom servers.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram 800 of steps of using a remote serverto assist a handheld device that has captured an image of videoprogramming of interest rendering on a flat panel display to access dataincluding video related to the video programming being displayed on theflat panel display based on the capture image. As shown in block 810, aremote server receives an image from a handheld device of videoprogramming being display on a display screen and captured by a cameraintegrated in the handheld device. The remote server then compares theimage with images of video programming stored in a database to findmatching video programming, as shown in block 820. The remote server cansend the handheld device notification of a match to the image and canalso indicate the availability of data associated with the videoprogramming, as shown in block 830. The remote server can them providethe handheld device with access to the data for rendering on/by thehandheld device, as shown in block 840. The access can be from the sameremote server, or from other servers for reason indicated above(location to enhance quality, or user profile requirements).

It should be appreciated that handheld devices can be pre-registeredand/or pre-authorized to access the remote server or servers to employthe services taught herein. Registration can require any of: useridentity, contact/address information, demographics, setting up ausername, setting up a password, occupation, areas of interest, andpayment of a fee. Registered user can then be recognized by a serverbased on device identification or upon logging into the server.

It should also be appreciated that advertising data (e.g., in the formof text ads or short video commercials) can be provided to handhelddevices obtaining data including video that is of interest (related tothe video programming displayed on a flat panel) prior to, or after,receiving the data including video. Advertising data can support arevenue model for a service embodying the features of the presentinvention so that the service can be provided free of charge to endusers rather than collecting user fees.

It should be appreciated from the foregoing disclosure that the methodsand systems described herein can be utilized in various environmentsincluding private offices or living rooms and public venues such assports bars, casinos, sports stadiums, shopping centers, amusementparks, transportation terminals, educational institutions, and otherspublic and private locations.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method enabling handheld device access todata associated with video programming being displayed on flat paneldisplay screens displays located at a public venue within at leastwireless local area network range of handheld devices, comprising:enabling user activation of an application on a handheld device enablingutilization of a camera integrated in the handheld device to capture animage of at least one of live and recorded video programming beingdisplayed on flat panel display screens; capturing an image of videoprogramming being displayed on a flat panel display screen selected fromamong more than one flat panel display screen located in a public venuefor spectators to observe; wirelessly connecting the handheld devicewith a remote server via a data network and providing the image to theremote server to compare the image of the video programming with imagesof videos stored in a database to locate matching video programming andidentify the video programming and an availability of additional dataassociated with the matching video programming, wherein the additionaldata includes selectable segments of video limited to past videoprogramming displayed on the flat panel display screen before the pointor spot in the video programming that the image is captured and at leastone of statistics, audio in more than one language, and text in morethan one language; receiving a notification at the handheld device of amatch of the image to the matching video programming and of theavailability of the additional data associated with the matching videoprogramming; accessing the additional data from at least one remoteserver based on at least one of handheld device location, registrationof the handheld device, or a user profile; enabling retrieval of theadditional data from the at least one remote server, wherein theretrieval of the additional data is conducted without disturbing orchanging the video programming as it is being displayed on the flatpanel display screen for observation by the spectators; and rendering,on the handheld device, the additional data.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the data is accessible from the remote server by the handhelddevice if the user profile indicates that the handheld device isregistered and authorized to access the additional data by the remoteserver.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is stored in andaccessible from at least one additional remote server in addition to theremove server and is accessible by the handheld device if the userprofile indicated indicates that the handheld device is registered andauthorized to access the additional data from the remote server.
 4. Amethod enabling handheld device access to data associated with videoprogramming rendering on flat panel display screens located in a publicvenue within wireless local area network range of handheld devices,comprising the steps of: activating an application on a handheld deviceto enable: capturing an image of video programming being displayed on aflat panel display screen utilizing a camera integrated in the handhelddevice, matching the image captured by the camera with images of videoprogramming stored in a remote server, and accessing data associatedwith the video programming based on a location of the handheld device tothe remote server and a match of the image captured by the camera withat least one image stored at the remote server; capturing an image usingthe camera of video programming being displayed on a flat panel displayscreen selected from among more than one flat panel display screenlocated within a public venue for observation by spectators; wirelesslyconnecting the handheld device with the remote server based on alocation of the handheld device to the remote server via a data networkwherein the image of the video programming is compared with images ofvideos stored in a database associated with the remote server to locatematching video programming; receiving a notification at the handhelddevice from the remote sever of a match of the image to matching videoprogramming and of the availability of data associated with the videoprogramming and in addition to the matching video programming, said dataincluding at least one of video replays, statistics, audio in more thanone language, and text in more than one language; accessing andretrieving the data from at least one remote server based on thenotification; and rendering the data from the at least one remote serveron the handheld device without disturbing or changing the videoprogramming as it is being displayed on the television display screenwithin the public venue, wherein the data available for rendering on thehandheld device includes selectable segments of video limited to pastvideo programming displayed on the display screen before the point orspot in the video programming that the image is captured and at leastone of statistics, audio in more than one language, and text in morethan one language.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the data includesstatistics associated with sports broadcasting as the video programming.6. A mediacasting system, comprising: a publicly accessible venueincluding a plurality of flat panel display screens rendering diversevideo programming received through a data network; a smartphoneincluding communications hardware enabling wireless data network access,a camera, a display screen and a software application stored in memoryand accessible by a user of the smartphone to capture an image of videoprogramming being displayed on at least one flat panel display screenutilizing the camera and selected from the plurality of flat paneldisplays located within the publicly accessible venue, match the imagecaptured by the camera with images of video programming stored in atleast one remote server, receive a notification at the smartphone of amatch of the image to matching video programming and of the availabilityof data associated with and in addition to matching video programming,access data associated with the video programming from the at least oneremote server based on a match of the image with at least one image atthe at least one remote server and further based on a user profileincluding registration with the at least one server and a location ofthe smartphone, and retrieve the data from the at least one remoteserver, wherein retrieval of the data is conducted from the at least oneremote server without disturbing or changing the video programming as itis being displayed on the television display screen and wherein the datais available for rendering on the smartphone and includes selectablesegments of video limited to past video programming displayed on thedisplay screen before the point or spot in the video programming thatthe image is captured and at least one of statistics, audio in more thanone language, and text in more than one language; and a wireless datanetwork supporting communications of the smartphone and providing thesmartphone with access to the at least one remote server, wherein thesmartphone accesses the data associated with video programming beingdisplayed on at least one flat panel display by wirelessly connectingwith the at least one remote server via the wireless data network andproviding the image to the at least one remote server to compare theimage of the video programming with images of videos stored in adatabase to locate matching video programming and identify anavailability of the data related to the matching video programming tothe smartphone.
 7. The mediacasting system of claim 6, wherein the datais stored in and accessible from the remote server by the handhelddevice if the smartphone is registered and authorized to access the databy the remote server.
 8. The mediacasting system of claim 6, wherein thedata includes statistics associated with sports broadcasting as thevideo programming.